Chick-Fil-A franchise operator Cynthia InnMan considers her family to be of vital importance.

When her nephew, Cyprus Spencer, began competing in Fox Network’s “So You Think You Can Dance” that was amplified to another level.

In response, she used her store in East Point, which she has managed for 12 years, as the headquarters of a celebration and support.

“Last week was the first live show,” she said. “We at the store decided to throw a dessert party. Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. we put the television out in the dining room and streamed the show live.”

By the end of the evening, InnMan said nearly 50 residents had come out to partake in the dessert party and to watch the show.

While the support from the community has been no surprise to her, her nephew’s participation in the show itself has been completely.

“He really had to keep us in the dark as far as his progression,” she said. “[Our family] didn’t know anything and had to watch like everyone else.”

Spencer, according to InnMan, is a hometown hero. He attended Park Lane Elementary, which is right across from his aunt’s franchise location. He later moved to Fairburn and graduated from Creekside High School.

He has, however, been dancing all his life.

“He’s been walking, talking and moving like a robot since he was an itty bitty,” said InnMan. “Now to be recognized as a dancer, we are speechless. It is awesome.”

On July 18, Spencer advanced to the Top 16 in the competition.

Spencer is also using his participation in “So You Think You Can Dance” for good, according to InnMan.

“He is encouraging everyone to wear burgundy and purple wristbands in support of Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts [who is battling a bone marrow disorder],” she said. “He didn’t want [him competing] to be just about him.”

This is not out of character for him, said InnMan, because he is a giving person.

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